Helicopter



My 1 C. DAVIS HELICOPTER Filed m 17', 1927 the advantage that accurateobservations- Patented May 1," 1 928.

UNITED STATES- PATENT oF-FIca.

HELICOPTER.

Application M May 17, 1921. Serial No. 192,131.

' My invention relates to a flying machine of the helicopter type and ithas for its object to provide a device of this class, which, afterrising perpendicularly from the ground to the desired height, can bemade to travel in either-of two horizontal directions without reversingthe motor.

' One'advantage of my invention resides in the fact that the flyingmachine can be stopped suddenly in .mid "air at any elevation andmaintained stationary. This has maybe made or photographs taken orsurveys made from such position.

Another advantage possessed by my invention is that instead ofturning ona long radius when changingthe direction offlight, this machine can bemade to reverse its flight so as to run in exactly opposite direc tionto that in which it has been proceeding andat a moments notice.

Another'advantage of my invention is that parachute .and that landingcan be made very safely by slowing down the engine,

when the flying machine will descend at a low rate of speed almostperpendicularly and onto any kind of ground, rough or smooth, andwithout having to taxi.

In the accompanying drawing one embodiment of the invention isillustrated, and

Figure 1 shows avertical, longitudinal section of the device in positionof rising from'the ground; and,

Figure 2 a side elevation. of the flying machine as arranged forhorizontal flight.

In the drawing reference numeral (10) represents the main frameworkca-rrying a central housing (11) for the motor (12). Thishousinglforms preferably a part of the fuselage, which may be of anysuitable construction, but is not shown on the drawing nor has thenecessary accommodation for the aviators been indicated.

A driving shaft (13) extends forwardly and rearwardly from the motor(12) and'is supported in bearings (14) carried on eye bolts (15) fromthe main frame (10). On the forward and rearward end of the drivingshaft (13) are secured propellers (16, 17) which-are, however,oppositely pitched so as todraw air inwardly in the direction of themotor (12). The propellers are inclosed in tubes (18, 19) respectively,which are coaxial with the shaft (13) and are joined together" byupwardly inclined branches (20, 21) so as to form-an'inverted Y with acentral vertical drum (22). I

On the housing or any suitable part of the main frame is erected acentral mast or post (23) which at its upper end carries an invertedcone (24) made of any suitable light and strong material. Upon this conerests .an aerofoil (25), preferably in the shape of an umbrella orparachute, the outer edges (26) of which extend fully over the outeredges of the air tubes. (18, 19). Ribs (27) strengthen and keep theaerofoil stretched, while. cords or wire braces (28) connected the endsof the eye bolts (15) and other eyes (29) on the frame or mainhous ing.

Collapsible air guides in the shape of elbow joints (30, 31) one attheend of each tube (18 and 19) are provided to direct the incoming aireither in vertical or horizontal direction. A stout hinge member (32,33)- secured to the respective tubes (18 and 19) and each actuated by arope (34.- and 35) respectively enables the aviator to maintain the airguidesin open or closed'position.

Theropes run through eyes or pulleys (36.. 1

37) secured at the upper, open end of the drum 22) where. the latter isbraced by bands (38) to the mast or post (23). Suitable securing means(39, 40) for the ends of the ropes.

The steering device has been omitted, as anv conventional type thereofmay be used. When the aviator is ready to fly he arranges thecollapsible air inlets (30. 31) by means of the ropes (34, 35) asindicated in Figure 1. that is to say, with their openings upward. Henext starts the motor (12), thereby causing the shaft (13) with thepropellers (16, 17) to'revolve and draw in air through the air inlets(30. 31) and tubes (18, 19). This air will then be forced upwardsthrough the branches (20, 21) and the air drum (22) against the invertedcone and under the aerofoil (25) as indicated by arrows (X).

The air pressure will then exert a lifting action against the aerofoilthus raising'the flying machine substantially straight up. from theground when the desired elevation has been attained. the aviatorreleases one of the ropes (34), for instance, when the inlet elbow (30).collapses, permitting air to are provided be drawniin horizontally inthe direction of the inlet elbow, while the exhaust the motory wh'enthe' device will make a substantially" vertical; descent and withoutthe-aid any la'ndin gear. 4

"While the referred embodiment of my in'veritionhas" een described indetail, it will hex-understood that I do not wish to be limited tothe'particular construction set forth; since various changes inthek'form and arrangement ofparts and: in theidetalls of constructionmay be resorted towlthout dea parting from the spiritgandscope of theinvention' or destroying any of the advantages contained in the, same. 1

1. In a flying machine of the class described having a' frame, amotorand an aerofoil supported on the frame; a double ended shaft actuated bythe motor, a propeller on each endof said shaftand means or directingthe-aircurrent, set in .motion by saidiprlopel-lers, against theaerofoil in order'tograise; the flyin machine said means comprisingsubstantially horizontal tubular inclosures for thepro ellersand,.upwardly directed" extensions o said inclosuresand elements attheintake ends of said tubular inclosures adapted tol vary the directionof lIlCOIDlng air. 4

2.-In:a flying of the-class described having aframe, a motor and anaerofoil. supported onwthe' frame; a double ended shaft actuated. by themotor, a propeller on: each end,'of;-,Is aid shaftand means ordirectingthe airffig rrent, set in motion by saidpropelle fi aagainst theaerofoil in order to raise the flyingniachine; said means comprisingsubstantially, horizontal tubular inclosui'esfor the propellers andupwardly directed extensions of said. 'nclosures and.

elements at-the intakeyends of said tubular inclosures adaptedto varythe direction. of incom ng a r; said, elements comprising collapsible.,elbows.

3. In 'aiflying maihine of. the class described having a frame, a"-motor and anaerofoil supported on the frame; a double ended shaftactuated by the motor, a proeller on each end of said shaft and means Ior directing the air current, set in motion by said propellers, againstthe aerofoil in order. to raise the flyin machine; said means comprisingsubstantially horizontal tubular inclosures for the propellers directedextensions of said inclosures and elements at the intake ends ofsaid-tubular inclosures adapted to vary the direction of incoming air;said elements comprising 001- lapsible elbows and operating members forthe elbows. 3

4. In a flying machine of the class described having a frame, a motorand an aerofoil supported on the frame; a double ended shaft actuated bythe motor, a propeller on each end of saidshaft and means for directingthe air current, set in motion by said -propellers, against the aerofoilin order to raise the flying machine; said means .comprisin tubularinclosures for the propelleis and upwardly directed extensions of said.inclosure's, said inclosures and their extensions having the shape of"an inverted letter Y. v '5. In a flying machine of the.class describedhaving a frame, a motor and an aerofoil supported on the frame; a doubleended shaft actuated by the motor, a prollerv on each end of said shaftand means h or directing the air current, setin motion by saidpropellers, against the aerofoil in order to raise the flying machine;said means comprising tubular inclosures for the pro- .pellers andupwardly directed extensions of said inclosures, said inclosures andtheir extensionshaving the shape of an inverted comprising substantia yhorizontal tubular ,inc'losures for the propellers and upwardly directedextensions of said inclosures and element's at the intake. ends of saidtubular i-nclosures adapted to vary the direction of incoming air; saidelements comprising colapsible elbows' and operating. members for Ltheelbows, said inclosures and their-extensions having theshape of aninverted let- 'terY I In witness whereof, I, have hereunto set my handat walshijngton, District of flolum-c bia, th's ninthfdayjpf May','A. D.nineteen hundred twenty-seven.

CLAUD DAVIS. v

